What is the source of conflict between Christians?
-The war within (internal): Taking pleasure in what I want vs. what God wants.
-Desires (lust): Strong craving for that which we don’t have.
-Friendship with the world: Adultery against God
What is the solution to conflict between Christians?
1. Turn to God
-Submit to God
-Resist the devil (and he will flee)
-Draw near to God (and he will draw near)
-Cleanse hands/ purify hearts
-Grieve our selfishness and jealousy
-Approach God with humility (and he will lift you up)
2. Stop Criticizing Others
-Trust God as Judge
-Start loving others
On behalf of the elders, Pastor Jon shares an update regarding the challenging financial situation we are in.
ZOMBIE FAITH (dead, useless, foolish faith)
-James: The Uselessness of Faith Without Works (James 2:14-26)
-Paul: The Futility of Works Without Faith (Ephesians 2:1-10)
LIFE-GIVING FAITH
-Life-giving faith for anyone! [from Abraham ---> Rahab]
-Life-giving faith (2:14-26) meets life-giving religion (1:27)
-Faith that gives life to the least, last, and lost.
-Faith that gives life to our own lives.
Showing partiality contradicts faith in Jesus.
-It contradicts the fact that God is a good judge & we are not (2:4-7)
-It contradicts the royal law of love (2:8)
Loving (all) our neighbors is consistent with faith in Jesus.
-What is “agape" love? “seeking the well-being of others regardless of their response.”
-Who are my neighbors? Anyone we come across, especially those in need. (Luke 10:30-37)
-In loving our enemies: “Mercy triumphs over judgement.” (2:13)
The proverb at the heart of life-giving religion (1:19)
-Slow to anger (20)
-Slow to speak (26)
-Quick to listen (21-25, 27)
-Listen to what? The word of life (Jesus)
-What does quick to listen look like?
-Ongoing repentance
-Active listening
-Doing what Jesus says to do
Three Themes Throughout James:
1. TRIALS & TEMPTATIONS
-See them as opportunities for growth (1:2-4)
-Keep the goal in mind (1:12)
-Don’t blame God (1:13-15)
-Trust in God’s goodness (1:16-18)
2. WISDOM & SPEECH
-Ask and trust God to give us the wisdom we need (1:5-8)
3. POVERTY & WEALTH
-Remember the withering nature of financial wealth. [1:10-11]
-Celebrate the lasting nature of spiritual riches (available to all!) in Christ. [1:12]
Saul’s tragic response to God’s grace serves as a dual warning for us
1. Saul is the type of leader we want but don’t need
2. Following God in the way we want isn’t Godly
Note: Our video feed went out in the gathering, but we were able to capture sound and slides.
God thwarts our belief that we are in control of the outcomes of life by:
- allowing desperate situations
- refusing to act as our assistant
- intervening miraculously
Things we can do about the desperate situations in front of us:
- Understand they are normal
- Cry out to God for help
- Prepare ourselves with hopeful truth
- Seek help from your community
Things we can do about our desire to control outcomes:
- Be honest about our motivations
- Acknowledge our limitations & God’s omnipotence
- Trust in the goodness of God
How to think about miraculous interventions:
- Ask for and believe in God to perform miracles
- Acknowledge God’s power over all things
- Look for God to work in ways we didn’t expect